Effects of exercise training in water and on land in patients with COPD: a randomised clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of two similar 6-month protocols of high-intensity exercise training, in water and on land, in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: University-based outpatient clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-six patients with predominantly moderate-to-severe COPD completed the study. INTERVENTION: Patients were evaluated at baseline, at 3 months and at the end of the programme (i.e. 6 months). For both groups, the 6-month protocol consisted of high-intensity endurance and strength exercises with gradual increase in time and/or workload, totalling 60 sessions. MAIN OUTCOMES: Objective monitoring of physical activity in daily life (PADL, primary outcome), lung function, peripheral and respiratory muscle strength, body composition, maximal and submaximal exercise capacity, functional status, quality of life, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. RESULTS: After 6 months of training, a significant improvement in PADL was seen for both groups [mean difference (95% confidence interval): land group 993 (358 to 1628) steps/day; water group 1669 (404 to 2934) steps/day]. Significant improvements were also seen in inspiratory, expiratory and peripheral muscle strength; maximal and submaximal exercise capacity; quality of life and functional status for both groups. There were no significant improvements in lung function, body composition, and symptoms of anxiety and depression for either group. No difference was found in the magnitude of improvement between the two types of training for any outcome. CONCLUSION: High-intensity exercise training in water generates similar effects compared with training on land in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD, rendering it an equally beneficial therapeutic option for this population. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01691131.

Agreement of different reference equations to classify patients with COPD as having reduced or preserved 6MWD.

BACKGROUND: Interpretation of the six-minute walk distance (6MWD) is enhanced by using recommended reference equations. Whenever possible, the choice of equation should be region-specific. A potential problem is that different equations for the 6MWD may have been developed for the same population, and it may be complicated to choose the most suitable. OBJECTIVE: To verify the agreement of different reference equations in classifying patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) as having reduced or preserved 6MWD. METHODS: 159 patients with COPD performed the six-minute walk test according to international standardization. They were classified as having reduced 6MWD if it was below the lower limit of normal. Five Brazilian equations (Iwama; Britto1; Britto2; Dourado; Soares) and the two non-Brazilian equations most cited worldwide (Troosters; Enright) were used. The agreement for patients classified as reduced or preserved 6MWD was verified by Cohen's Kappa (pair-to-pair) analysis. The proportion of patients classified as having reduced walked distance was compared by the Chi-squared test. RESULTS: Agreement between equations varied largely in classifying subjects as having reduced or preserved 6MWD (Kappa: 0.10-0.82). Brazilian equations with the highest agreement were Iwama, Britto1 and Britto2 (Kappa>0.75). The proportion of patients classified as having reduced 6MWD was statistically similar only between equations in which the agreement was higher than 0.70. CONCLUSION: Even reference equations from the same country vary considerably in the classification of reduced or preserved 6MWD, and it is recommended that the region-specific ones be used as they give with higher agreement for similar and comparable interpretation of the patients' functional exercise capacity.

Fat-free mass depletion in patients with COPD in Brazil: development of a new cutoff point and its relation with mortality and extrapulmonary manifestations.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: None of the cutoff points for fat-free mass index (FFMI) were tested for the Brazilian population, and it is unknown whether the available ones are able to discriminate extrapulmonary disease manifestations. This cross-sectional study aims to develop and validate a cutoff point for FFM depletion based on Brazilian patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to verify its association and of previously published cutoffs with extrapulmonary manifestations. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A new cutoff point was obtained from the best FFMI value for discrimination of preserved exercise capacity in a sample of patients (n=57). The discriminative capacity was assessed in another sample (n=96). The new cutoff point and other previously published ones were tested to discriminate low exercise capacity, physical inactivity, sedentary lifestyle and low quality of life. A receiver operation characteristics curve with area under the curve (AUC) value was plotted and each cutoff points' discriminative capacity was calculated. Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier method assessed the association between the cutoff points and mortality. RESULTS: The new cutoff points for FFMI were 14.65 kg/m2 for women (AUC=0.744; sensitivity (Se)=0.88; specificity (Sp)=0.60) and 20.35 kg/m2 for men (AUC=0.565; Se=0.36; Sp=0.81). The new cutoffs were the best to discriminate poor exercise capacity assessed by walked distance in % predicted and quality of life. Only the new cutoff point was associated with mortality (HR=2.123; 95% CI: 1.03-4.33, P=0.039, log rank P=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Only the new cutoff point was associated with all-cause mortality, and it had the highest discriminating capacity for exercise capacity and quality of life in Brazilian patients with COPD.

Smoking status and its relationship with exercise capacity, physical activity in daily life and quality of life in physically independent, elderly individuals.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between smoking status and exercise capacity, physical activity in daily life and health-related quality of life in physically independent, elderly (≥60 years) individuals. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, observational study. SETTING: Community-dwelling, elderly individuals. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and fifty-four elderly individuals were categorised into four groups according to their smoking status: never smokers (n=57), passive smokers (n=30), ex-smokers (n=45) and current smokers (n=22). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Exercise capacity [6-minute walk test (6MWT)], physical activity in daily life (step counting) and health-related quality of life [36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire] were assessed. RESULTS: Current and ex-smokers had lower mean exercise capacity compared with never smokers: 90 [standard deviation (SD) 10] % predicted, 91 (SD 12) % predicted and 100 (SD 13) % predicted distance on 6MWT, respectively [mean differences -9.8%, 95% confidence intervals (CI) -17.8 to -1.8 and -9.1%, 95% CI -15.4 to -2.7, respectively; P<0.05 for both]. The level of physical activity did not differ between the groups, but was found to correlate negatively with the level of nicotine dependence in current smokers (r=-0.47, P=0.03). The median score for the mental health dimension of SF-36 was worse in passive {72 [interquartile range (IQR) 56 to 96] points} and current [76 (IQR 55 to 80) points] smokers compared with ex-smokers [88 (IQR 70 to 100) points] (median differences -16 points, 95% CI -22.2 to -3.0 and -12 points, 95% CI -22.8 to -2.4, respectively; P<0.05 for both). CONCLUSIONS: Among elderly individuals, current smokers had lower exercise capacity than never smokers. Although the level of physical activity did not differ between the groups, an association was found with smoking. Tobacco exposure was associated with worse scores for the mental health dimension of SF-36 in physically independent, elderly individuals.

Physiotherapy and rehabilitative interventions in patients with chronic respiratory diseases: exercise and non-exercise treatment.

AIM: The aim of this literature review was to describe and discuss the available evidence about different modalities of physical therapy treatment and pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) involving exercise training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, bronchiectasis and interstitial lung disease (ILD). METHODS: The search was performed by using the Cochrane Library and PubMed databases. We selected studies published between 2001 and 2012 which involved physiotherapy treatment and included patients with COPD, asthma, bronchiectasis or ILD, aged 18 years or more, in stable or unstable disease condition. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: PR involving exercise training was effective in improving exercise capacity, muscle force, quality of life and reducing symptoms in patients with COPD and asthma. Although there are few studies published about exercise training in patients with bronchiectasis, improvement in exercise capacity and quality of life in those patients was also observed. Patients with ILD also respond to exercise training; however, the response is less pronounced than in COPD and they lose the gains more quickly. Non-exercise-based interventions, such as bronchial hygiene techniques and inspiratory muscle training, also present positive results when applied to patients with COPD, asthma and bronchiectasis. In some cases it is recommended that these interventions are combined with exercise training. Studies about non-exercise based interventions applied to patients with ILD are still necessary.

Is walking in daily life a moderate intensity activity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

BACKGROUND: So far there are no studies investigating whether the time spent walking in daily life by patients with COPD corresponds to an activity of at least moderate intensity according to the recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). AIM: To quantify in patients with COPD the time spent/day in physical activity of at least moderate intensity according to the ACSM (TPA>moderate); and to compare their TPA>moderate with the total time spent walking/day in daily life (TW). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Patients entering in a pulmonary rehabilitation program at a University Hospital in Brazil. POPULATION: Seventy-three patients with COPD (FEV1 40±15% pred; 65±9 years). METHODS: TW and TPA>moderate were respectively assessed with the DynaPort and SenseWear activity monitors for 12 hours/day during 2 days. RESULTS: There was significant difference between TW and TPA>moderate (53 [36-80] versus 12 [3-33] minutes/day, respectively; P<0.0001). Although 84% of patients reached more than 30 minutes/day of TW, only 29% reached more than 30 minutes/day of TPA>moderate. TPA>moderate correlated modestly with TW (r= 0.52; P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The majority of patients with moderate-very severe COPD walk more than 30 minutes/day; however this does not mean that they are physically active, since less than 1/4 of their time spent walking can be considered as moderate-intensity activity. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Moderate-intensity physical activity in patients with COPD is more reduced than previously known. There is a clear need to increase their daily physical activity and lead a higher proportion of this population to comply with the minimum recommendations.

Mucociliary clearance and its relation with the level of physical activity in daily life in healthy smokers and nonsmokers.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between mucociliary transport and physical activity in daily life (PADL) in smokers and nonsmokers. METHODS: Fifty-two current smokers were submitted to assessment of mucociliary transport (Sacharin Transit Time, STT), carbon monoxide levels in the exhaled air, lung function and smoking history. In addition, subjects kept a pedometer worn at the waist for six days in order to determine their level of PADL (steps/day). The tests were also performed on 30 matched healthy nonsmokers who served as control group. RESULTS: Light smokers (≤15 cigarettes/day) had a STT of 9 (7-11) min (median [confidence interval]), which was similar to nonsmokers (8 [8-11]min; p=0.8). Both moderate (16-25 cigarettes/day) and heavy (>25 cigarettes/day) smokers had significantly higher STT (13 [11-17] min and 13 [10-21] min, respectively) than nonsmokers and light smokers (p<0.05 for all). There was no difference in the number of steps/day between any of the groups (p>0.05 for all). In the general group of smokers, STT was not significantly correlated with PADL, pack/years index, years of smoking or age (r<-0.23; p>0.09 for all). There was significant negative correlation between STT and PADL only in light smokers (r=-0.55; p=0.02) and nonsmokers (r=-0.42; p=0.02), but not in moderate and heavy smokers. CONCLUSION: In light smokers and non-smokers, better mucociliary function is associated to higher daily physical activity level, as opposed to the decreased mucociliary function observed in smokers, i.e., those with moderate and heavy cigarette consumption.

[Immediate and short term effects of smoking on nasal mucociliary clearance in smokers]. / Efeito imediato e a curto prazo do cigarro sobre o transporte mucociliar nasal de fumadores.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The efficiency of mucociliary transport may vary in different conditions, such as in exposure to harmful particles of the cigarette smoke. The present study evaluated the acute and short term effects of smoking on nasal mucociliary clearance in current smokers by the quantification of the Saccharin Transit Time (STT), and to investigate its correlation with the history of tobacco consumption. METHODS: Nineteen current smokers (11 men, 51 ± 16 years; BMI 23 ± 9 kg/m(2), 27 ± 11 cigarettes per day, 44 ± 25 pack-years), entering a smoking cessation intervention program, responded to a questionnaire concerning smoking history and were submitted to lung function assessment (spirometry) and the STT test. STT was assessed immediately after smoking and 8 hours after smoking. The STT test was also performed in nineteen matched healthy non-smokers' who served as control group. RESULTS: When compared to STT in non-smokers' (10 ± 4 min; mean ± standard deviation), smokers presented similar STT immediately after smoking (11 ± 6 min; p=0.87) and slower STT 8 hours after smoking (16 ± 6 min; p=0.005 versus non-smokers' and p=0.003 versus immediately after smoking). STT 8 hours after smoking correlated positively with age (r=0.59; p=0.007), cigarettes per day (r=0.53; p=0.02) and pack-years index (r=0.74; p=0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: In smokers, although the mucociliary clearance immediately after smoking is similar to non-smokers', eight hours after smoking it is reduced, and this reduction is closely related to the smoking habits.

Reproducibility of 6-minute walking test in patients with COPD.

The reproducibility of the 6-min walking test (6MWT) needs to be more solidly studied. This study aimed to investigate the reproducibility of two 6MWTs performed on subsequent days in a large and representative sample of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to quantify the learning effect between the two tests, as well as its determinants. In a retrospective observational study, 1,514 patients with COPD performed two 6MWTs on subsequent days. Other measurements included body composition (dual X-ray absorptiometry), dyspnoea (Medical Research Council scale) and comorbidity (Charlson index). Although the 6MWT was reproducible (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.93), patients walked farther in the second test (391 m, 95% CI 155-585 m versus 418 m, 95% CI 185-605 m; p<0.0001). On average, the second 6MWT increased by 27 m (or 7%), and 82% of patients improved in the second test. Determinants of improvement ≥ 42 m in the second test (upper limit of the clinically important change) were as follows: first 6MWT <350 m, Charlson index <2 and body mass index <30 kg · m(-2) (OR 2.49, 0.76 and 0.60, respectively). The 6MWT was statistically reproducible in a representative sample of patients with COPD. However, the vast majority of patients improved significantly in the second test by an average learning effect of 27 m.

Effects of arm bracing posture on respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of arm bracing posture on respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). METHODS: 20 patients with COPD (11 male; 67 ± 8 years; BMI 24 ± 3 Kg · m⁻²) were submitted to assessments of Maximal Inspiratory and Expiratory Pressures (MIP and MEP, respectively) and spirometry with and without arm bracing in a random order. The assessment with arm bracing was done on standing position and the height of the support was adjusted at the level of the ulnar styloid process with elbow flexion and trunk anterior inclination of 30 degrees promoting weight discharge in the upper limbs. Assessment without arm bracing was also performed on standing position, however with the arms relaxed alongside the body. The time interval between assessments was one week. RESULTS: MIP, MEP and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) were higher with arm bracing than without arm bracing (MIP 64 ± 22 cmH2O versus 54 ± 24 cmH2O, p = 0,00001; MEP 104 ± 37 cmH2O versus 92 ± 37 cmH2O, p = 0,00001 and MVV 42 ± 20 L/min versus 38 ± 20 L/min, p = 0,003). Other variables did not show statistical significant difference. CONCLUSION: The arm bracing posture resulted in higher capacity to generate force and endurance of the respiratory muscles in patients with COPD.

Influence of pursed-lip breathing on heart rate variability and cardiorespiratory parameters in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) / Influência da respiração freno-labial sobre a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca e parâmetros cardiorrespiratórios em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC)

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of pursed-lip breathing (PLB) at rest on the behavior of heart rate (HR) and its variability, and on variations in blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR) and pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Sixteen subjects with COPD (seven in GOLD stage I, three in GOLD stage II and six in GOLD stage III; mean age 64±11 years; mean FEV1 60±25 percent of predicted value) were assessed at rest, in a seated position, under the following conditions: ten minutes of normal breathing without PLB (R1), eight minutes with PLB (R2) and ten minutes of normal breathing once more (R3). HR was recorded, beat-to-beat, by means of a Polar S810 heart monitor. The RMSSD index (root mean square of the difference between successive R-R intervals) was determined. BP, RR and SpO2 were also assessed during the trials. ANOVA for repeated measures followed by the Tukey test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used for data analysis, with a 5 percent significance level. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the RMSSD index during R2, in comparison with R1. The HR variation between inspiration and expiration was 8.98 bpm, and the variation between HR at rest and HR with PLB was 8.25 bpm. During R2, RR decreased and SpO2 increased significantly in comparison with R1 and R3. BP values did not show significant changes. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that PLB produced significant changes in HR, RR and SpO2, and did not alter BP in subjects with COPD. Furthermore, analysis of the RMSSD index showed that PLB promoted increased parasympathetic activity in these subjects, thus indicating that this technique influenced the autonomic cardiac modulation.

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar os efeitos da respiração freno-labial (RFL), em repouso, sobre o comportamento da frequência cardíaca (FC) e sua variabilidade e variações na pressão arterial (PA), frequência respiratória (FR) e saturação parcial de oxigênio (SpO2) em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC). MÉTODOS: Dezesseis pacientes com DPOC (7: estágio GOLD I, 3: estágio GOLD II e 6: estágio GOLD III; média de idade=64±11; média de VEF1=60±25 por cento do predito) foram avaliados em repouso, na posição sentada, nas seguintes condições: 10 minutos respirando normalmente sem RFL (R1), 8 minutos com RFL (R2) e 10 minutos respirando novamente normalmente (R3). A FC foi registrada, batimento a batimento, por meio do frequencímetro Polar S810, e o índice RMSSD (raiz quadrada da média das diferenças entre intervalos RR sucessivos) foi determinado. PA, FR e SpO2 foram também avaliados durante o protocolo. ANOVA para medidas repetidas, seguida pelo teste de Tukey e teste de Kruskal-Wallis foram usados para análise dos dados, com nível de significância de 5 por cento. RESULTADOS: Ocorreu aumento significante no índice RMSSD durante R2 em comparação com R1. A variação na FC inspiração/expiração foi de 8,98 bpm, e a variação na FC em repouso/RFL foi de 8,25 bpm. Durante R2, FR diminuiu e SpO2 aumentou significativamente em comparação a R1 e R3. Os valores de PA não apresentaram modificações significativas. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados mostraram que a RFL produziu modificações significativas na FC, FR e SpO2 e não alterou a PA em pacientes com DPOC. Além disso, a análise do índice RMSSD mostrou que a RFL promoveu aumento da atividade parassimpática nesses pacientes, indicando que essa técnica influencia a modulação autonômica cardíaca.

Guia para prática clínica: fisioterapia em pacientes com Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica (DPOC): [review] / Clinical practice guideline for physical therapy in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): portuguese version: [review]

INTRODUÇÃO: No contexto da colaboração internacional para desenvolvimento de guias práticos (ou guidelines), a Sociedade Real Holandesa de Fisioterapia (Koninklijk Nederlands Genootschap voor Fysiotherapie, KNGF) se propôs a desenvolver um guia para esclarecimento sobre a prática clínica de Fisioterapia em pacientes com Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica (DPOC), assim como também optou por estimular a sua tradução para outras línguas, a fim de torná-lo acessível para públicos internacionais. OBJETIVOS: O presente guia é a versão em língua portuguesa do Guia para Prática Clínica de Fisioterapia em pacientes com DPOC desenvolvido pela KNGF, que teve como objetivo descrever a Fisioterapia baseada em evidências para pacientes com DPOC que apresentam limitação da função pulmonar, da função muscular respiratória e periférica, da capacidade de exercício, da depuração mucociliar e da qualidade de vida, além de limitações em relação à atividade física na vida diária pela dispneia e/ou intolerância ao exercício. CONCLUSÃO: O guia propõe-se principalmente a prover recomendações terapêuticas práticas que auxiliem o fisioterapeuta a oferecer o melhor tratamento possível para pacientes com DPOC, consideradas as evidências científicas disponíveis na atualidade.

INTRODUCTION: In the context of international collaboration for the development of practice guidelines, the Royal Dutch Society for Physical Therapy (Koninklijk Nederlands Genootschap voor Fysiotherapie, KNGF) has developed guidelines for the clinical practice of physical therapy in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It has also stimulated its translation into other languages to make it accessible to international audiences. OBJECTIVES: The present document brings the Portuguese version of the KNGF Clinical Practice Guidelines for physical therapy in COPD patients. Its purpose was to describe evidence-based physical therapy for COPD patients with impairments in pulmonary function, peripheral and respiratory muscle function, exercise capacity, mucus clearance and quality of life, in addition to limitations in physical activity in daily life due to dyspnea and/or exercise intolerance. CONCLUSION: The guideline provides practical and therapeutic recommendations based on currently available scientific evidence to help the physical therapist provide the best possible treatment to COPD patients.

Markers of inflammation and disuse in vastus lateralis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Disuse and/or local inflammation in the muscle cannot be excluded as potential influences for the decreased muscle force in patients hospitalised due to an acute chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation. This study aims to compare expression levels of markers of disuse (insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I), MyoD and myogenin) and inflammation [interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)] in the muscle of hospitalised and stable COPD patients and healthy elderly. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Muscle biopsies (m. vastus lateralis) were taken in 14 hospitalised COPD patients (aged 68 +/- 8), 11 clinically stable COPD patients (aged 68 +/- 9) and seven healthy subjects (aged 70 +/- 7) to analyse local mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, IGF-I and protein expression levels of IGF-I, MyoD and myogenin. Relationships of these expression levels with lung and skeletal muscle function were investigated. RESULTS: IGF-I mRNA and MyoD protein levels were significantly lower in hospitalised patients compared to healthy subjects. MyoD protein levels were positively related to quadriceps force. Muscle IL-6 and IL-8 expression in hospitalised patients was similar compared to stable patients and healthy subjects and was not related to expression levels of muscle markers of disuse or quadriceps force. Muscle TNF-alpha and myogenin were not detected. CONCLUSION: Decreased expression levels of muscle IGF-I and MyoD in hospitalised patients suggest a potential influence of disuse in the increased muscle weakness during an acute COPD exacerbation. This study did not find any evidence supporting local inflammation via IL-6, IL-8 and/or TNF-alpha in the vastus lateralis muscle of COPD patients.

Quantifying physical activity in daily life with questionnaires and motion sensors in COPD.

Accurate assessment of the amount and intensity of physical activity in daily life is considered very important due to the close relationship between physical activity level, health, disability and mortality. For this reason, assessment of physical activity in daily life has gained interest in recent years, especially in sedentary populations, such as patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The present article aims to compare and discuss the two kinds of instruments more commonly used to quantify the amount of physical activity performed by COPD patients in daily life: subjective methods (questionnaires, diaries) and motion sensors (electronic or mechanical methods). Their characteristics are summarised and evidence of their validity, reliability and sensitivity is discussed, when available. Subjective methods have practical value mainly in providing the patients' view on their performance in activities of daily living and functional status. However, care must be taken when using subjective methods to accurately quantify the amount of daily physical activity performed. More accurate information is likely to be available with motion sensors rather than questionnaires. The selection of which motion sensor to use for quantification of physical activity in daily life should depend mainly on the purpose of its use.

Cardiopulmonary stress during exercise training in patients with COPD.

Exercise training is an essential component of pulmonary rehabilitation. However, the cardiopulmonary stress imposed during different modalities of exercise training is not yet known. In the present study, the cardiopulmonary stress of a 12-week exercise training programme in 11 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients (forced expiratory volume in one second 42+/-12%pred, age 69+/-6 yrs) was measured. Pulmonary gas exchange and cardiac frequency (f(C)) of three training sessions were measured with a portable metabolic system at the beginning, mid-term and end of the programme. Symptoms were assessed with Borg scores. The exercise intensity was compared with the recommendations for exercise training by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Training effects were significant (maximum change in work: 14+/-11 Watts, 6-min walk test: 44+/-36 m). Whole body exercises (cycling, walking and stair climbing) consistently resulted in higher cardiopulmonary stress (oxygen uptake (V'(O(2))), minute ventilation and f(C)) than arm cranking and resistance training. Dyspnoea was higher during cycling than resistance training. Patients exercised for >70% (>20 min) of the total exercise time at >40% of the V'(O(2)) reserve and f(C) reserve ("moderate" intensity according to the ACSM) throughout the programme. The cardiopulmonary stress resistance training is lower than during whole-body exercise and results in fewer symptoms. In addition, exercise testing based on guidelines using a fixed percentage of baseline peak performance and symptom scores achieves and sustains training intensities recommended according to the American College of Sports Medicine.

Effects of isolated cycle ergometer training on patients with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs are beneficial to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lower-extremity training is considered a fundamental component of PR. Nevertheless, the isolated effects of each PR component are not well established. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the effects of a cycle ergometry exercise protocol as the only intervention in a group of COPD patients, and to compare these results with a control group. METHODS: 25 moderate-to-severe COPD patients were evaluated regarding pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity, quality of life and body composition. Patients were allocated to one of two groups: (a) the trained group (TG; n = 13; 6 men) was submitted to a protocol of 24 exercise sessions on a cycle ergometer, with training intensity initially set at a heart rate (HR) close to 80% of maximal HR achieved in a maximal test, and load increase based on dyspnea scores, and (b) the control group (CG; n = 12; 6 men) with no intervention during the protocol period. RESULTS: TG showed within-group significant improvements in endurance cycling time, 6-min walking distance test, maximal inspiratory pressure and in the domain 'dyspnea' related to quality of life. Despite the within-group changes, no between-group significant differences were observed. CONCLUSION: In COPD patients, the results of isolated low-to-moderate intensity cycle ergometer training are not comparable to effects of multimodality and high-intensity training programs.